JuliARTs: Real people making a living in the arts

Esin Aydingoz is an incredibly talented musician, composer and conductor who is currently on tour with Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México performing Disney and Pixar's Coco-Live-to-Film Concert playing at The Long Center on November 8th. You've already heard her work in Wednesday, The Witcher, and Black Barbie, to name just a few of her projects. And Esin is really just getting started. She shares a lot about her journey as an artist and the importance of "seizing your moment."

Annie made a plan for her life, to sing and then lead. And the really amazing thing is: she did exactly that! She made her vision come true and today is the General Director and CEO of Austin Opera. Annie shares the surprising dollars and cents behind every production, how being a singer informs her leadership, and why if you've never seen an opera, Pagliacci, on November 4th & 5th, is the one for you.

Kathy Valentine is a musician, writer, student and now making her first foray as Musical Director for Zach Theatre's production of Head Over Heels featuring the music of The Go-Go's. She wasn't sure she would love it, but sometimes you've got to go for it to find out. You know Kathy best as the bassist for The Go-Go's, but some of her proudest achievements happened only very recently. And I know you'll be inspired by how openly she shares her tough moments and what she learned from them.

Add to that a soul songstress, a crowd-controlling DJ, and a fire-breathing MC and that is still but a fraction of what you’ll get when you catch Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra in action. Thee Phantom combines the raw energy and passion of Hip-Hop with the beautiful, sweeping melodies of live orchestration. Phantom wrote his first rhyme at the age of 8 and made his first beat by mixing the instrumental from the Beastie Boys’ Paul Revere with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony at age 12. Ironic considering that the movement of Beethoven’s 5th is entitled, “Destiny”. Little did he know, Phantom’s combination of B-Boy meets Beethoven would later open up a world of opportunities for him. Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with this one-of-a-kind event at the Long Center on August 12th.

Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys was drawn to music very early in her life. And while it may seem like things worked out quickly for her, they really didn't. Alicia is open about her challenges, what we can all learn about the importance of not giving up, and why she feels her upcoming show on Monday night in Austin is her best show yet.

This is Atticus Finch as we've never seen him before so I hope you get to experience To Kill a Mockingbird firsthand. Richard Thomas (Atticus) reveals what's new and different about this story we all know so well, Yaegel Welch (Tom Robinson) talks about embracing what's unique about you, and Melanie Moore (Scout) shares what it's like to be all grown up & playing a child on stage.

Bassist John Taylor had been making music with Duran Duran for 40 years and it's no accident they've managed to stay together all that time. They're ready to celebrate their musical journey in Austin at Moody Center on June 6th. John talks about his excitement for this FUTURE PAST tour and he shares openly what it takes to sustain relationships (he's been married for 24 years), what he does to handle difficult moments, and the big lessons he learned during the pandemic.

Things were really coming together for Katie Folger. Lots of opportunities were opening up for the working actress; she had a great new job and was looking for an apartment in a new city when the world suddenly closed down in 2020. Everything she was excited about quickly dissolved and she contemplated a completely different life path, even enrolling in grad school. But then inspiration found Katie, and her one woman show, Getting in Bed with the Pizza Man, was born. If you liked Sex and the City and Fleabag, you'll love her witty show! It premieres in ATX at Crashbox, May 4th - 13th and you can get tickets now at katiefolger.com. (This podcast contains adult language not suitable for all audiences).

Howie Mandel got up on stage because of a dare, and that moment changed everything. He became a comic, an actor, a voice actor, a game show host, a podcaster, a producer -- and the list goes on. Howie shares how he's been able to manifest such a diverse career, how his parents handled his passion for pranks, and why it's the awkward & uncomfortable moments that he finds thrilling.

Ever since high school Steve Hackman wanted to be a conductor. And he was well on his way to doing so with an education from the prestigious Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. But a mentor challenged him to embrace his innate sense of creativity and that's where Brahms X. Radiohead was born. Steve talks about getting a crash course in composition writing, how he found himself in constant creation mode and why he tells students it's the rejections that make the career. UPDATE: Due to weather this performance, originally set for April, was rescheduled for June 15th at The Palmer Events Center.

Geneva Lewis makes her Austin Symphony Orchestra debut this weekend with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor. She spoke with me this week about music-making, how important it is to always believe in yourself, and the ever present tug of war between perfection and letting go.

Nightclubs come and go with the shift of the wind, but not Numbers in Houston, TX. The club, which opened in 1978, is still thriving today and Marcus Pontello felt so much passion around his experiences of being there, he was compelled to make a documentary about it called Friday I'm In Love. He reveals what made Friday nights at Numbers so special, why it's stood the test of time, and how a fashion designer with no experience in film made a feature length documentary.

You probably never heard of Taiko drumming. The Japanese style of drumming where you use your whole body was new to Jennifer Weir when a chance discovery decades ago changed the trajectory of her life. Finding Her Beat, a new film at the Sound Unseen Film Festival here in Austin, will welcome to a world you'll wish you found much sooner.

It's the 100th anniversary of the life of Judy Garland and Natasha Drena is in Austin to perform A Tribute to Judy Garland with the Austin Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Natasha discovered she could sing like Judy in college and she shares with us what it's like to be a performer and why she wishes she learned to trust herself and her instincts early on

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to Moody Center on December 7th and tickets are on sale now. In fact, for this week only they're just $29 plus fees. Music Director and guitarist, Al Pitrelli, talks about why it was so important for the TSO to make the show accessible in this way and what fans can look forward to as the TSO take the stage for the first time at Moody Center.

Kristin and Jen are the real life comedians and moms who created #IMOMSOHARD. It's an extra special community of women supporting women in the funniest ways imaginable. If you've ever felt like something is only happening to you or your family, Kristin and Jen are here to make sure you know they've been there, too, and they totally get you.

Gabriel Ornelas and Florencia Choto of Cine Las Americas are excited for the 24th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, not just because it marks a return to the theater, but also because these films have powerful stories to tell. They both believe in the power of the language of film to help shed light on the social and cultural issues of the Latinx community. "In this day and age when there’s just so much discussion and so many different feelings about everything, it’s the arts and film that bring a community together and share new ideas."

Julia Scotti’s appearance on America’s Got Talent changed her life. But she had already changed her life in a big way well before that moment. Now you can explore her journey in a documentary called Julia Scotti: Funny That Way. In this conversation with Julia and filmmaker Susan Sandler I think you’ll come away with a lot of inspiration and a sincere appreciation for the simple things in life.

Morgan James is getting back on the road and will perform with her band in Austin on May 28th at The 04 Center. Morgan shares her pandemic experience, what it was like to go to Juilliard, how great it is to get out in the world again and she reveals the one, worst thing you can do to your voice. And, guess what, you and I do it everyday!

Gloria Reyna and Dr. Leslie Dovale of San Juan Diego Catholic High School discuss a special collaboration between their students and our Austin Symphony Orchestra's Masterworks Series, which concludes this weekend May 20th and 21st. We’re learning all about this special program and also hear directly from one of the students about what is was like to have a fun challenge during the pandemic.